Is your dog fearful of loud noises or events, such as thunderstorms, fireworks, or even the vacuum cleaner? Or is your dog fearful of certain people, like children or strangers? Creating a safe place where your dog can escape as needed can help reduce your dog’s anxiety during stressful situations. It also helps establish clear boundaries—if the dog is in the safe space, the dog needs alone time and does not want to be pet or played with.
Breweries and dogs are a popular combination, especially in the warm-weather months. However, for some dogs the noisy environment and close proximity to people and other dogs can be challenging. Luckily, you and your four-legged friend can learn the skills that allow you to enjoy your neighborhood breweries, restaurants, coffee shops, wineries, and cafés together!
When you are introducing two dogs to each other, first interactions matter. How the dogs interact in their first encounter can set the tone for future interactions. Greetings tend to go best when you introduce the dogs in neutral territory and proceed slowly, so that the dogs can decide if they would like to interact.
When training at a distance, there are many different objects that can be used to help your dog to stay in place, such as a mat or raised platform. These training aids give your dog a definitive place to be. However, sometimes you may find the need to train your dog from a distance without the use of a platform or mat to anchor him. This was the case for Ken Ramirez when working with his dog Marlin on The Ranch.
Have you ever wanted to reward your dog for a job well done, but didn’t have food treats with you? Or perhaps you’ve discovered that your dog isn’t motivated by food. By understanding and using natural reinforcers (toys, play, and tactile reinforcers) you can reinforce your dog anytime, anywhere, and add variety to your training routine!
There are times when you want to share your couch with your dog. After all, there’s nothing better than snuggling up with your furry friend at the end of a long day. However, there are also times when you may not want your dog on the couch—such as when guests are visiting. By teaching your dog to both get on the couch and off the couch, you can have the best of both worlds!
Do you struggle getting your dog to come inside after playtime in the yard? While it’s frustrating when your dog ignores you, who could blame your pup when being outside is so much more exciting than being indoors? The trick is to flip that dynamic and make coming inside more fun!
No treats? No problem! There are many other reinforcers besides food that can be leveraged in a training session. In fact, you may find some of these non-food reinforcers right under your nose (or your feet)!
Teaching an old dog a new trick is not only possible, it’s beneficial! Training older dogs helps keep them in good shape both physically and mentally. Think of training as Sudoku for dogs! Learning new behaviors is also enriching and fun for you and your dog. It is a great way to spend time together and strengthen your bond.
Can you teach your dog to offer two opposite behaviors? How… and why?
Teaching paired, opposite behaviors accelerates the learning process by helping the dog understand a behavior in context. It also teaches the dog a concept that can be applied to future learning.
